Wristband having exposed adhesive fastener

ABSTRACT

An identification wristband having an exposed adhesive fastener located adjacent one extremity thereof. Identification and other information is provided on the wristband intermediate its extremities.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 08/370,830 filedJan. 10, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,716, which was a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 07/973,269, filed Nov. 9, 1992, now abandoned.

This invention relates to identification bracelets or bands which arewidely used in a variety of applications including patientidentification, crowd control, inanimate object identification, and thelike.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention will be described hereinbelow as utilized in a crowdcontrol context, but it will be understood that it can be used in otherapplications where ease of installation, speed of imparting informationto the bracelet, and elimination of existing waste disposal problemsincident to the utilization of available bracelets are desirable.

Prior art bracelets are utilized in crowd control contexts such asamusement parks, ski lifts, and rock concerts. They are applied to thewrists of the persons visiting the amusement park, utilizing the skilift, or attending the concert in order to identify the customer andprevent various abuses which arise where large numbers of individualscongregate.

Various types of prior art bracelets have been utilized in theabove-mentioned situations, including bracelets fabricated from plasticsheet materials such as vinyl and various forms of plastic reinforcedpapers wherein the cellulosic content of the papers is bonded andstrengthened by the plastic binder. Fasteners for these braceletsinclude plastic snap type fasteners, metallic rivet type fasteners, andadhesive fasteners.

All of the prior art bracelets are supplied in cartons and the adhesivebracelets incorporate adhesive isolation means which must be discardedat the point of application of the bracelet to an individual.

Moreover, where thousands of visitors are accommodated every day atamusement parks or ski lifts, correspondingly large inventories of theidentification bracelets must be maintained and large quantities ofcartons of such bracelets must be provided at the ticket booth.

In some applications, prior art bracelets are provided with informationreceiving surfaces and the cashier must, where the information isvisually cognizable, type the requisite information on the receivingsurface. This entails the removal of the bracelet from its carton, theinsertion of the bracelet in the information printer and the subsequentimparting of the information to the surface. After the informationimparting step is completed, the bracelet is removed from the printerand installed upon the wrist of the wearer.

Some prior art bracelets include electronic information receptor meanssuch as magnetic strips or the like and the information is imparted tothe magnetic strip by corresponding electronic information conveyors.However, the same basic sequence of time consuming steps must befollowed as in the case of the visually cognizable information.

Bar coding of bracelets is another method of conveying informationregarding the individual and the extent of his purchases. For instance,the bracelet for a concert can incorporate visually perceptibleinformation regarding seat assignments; for amusement parks, the numberof rides to which the individual is entitled; and, for ski lifts, thenumbers of lifts and the numbers of rides to which the individual isentitled. Additional or alternative information regarding the extensionof credit or spending limit available to an individual may beincorporated in the information imparted to the bracelet.

Where thousands of people are entering a facility, it is obvious thatthe inventory, storage, and bracelet preparation and installation upon awearer are expensive and time consuming aspects of present braceletusage. Because of the packaging and discarded components of conventionalbracelets, there is a significant accumulation of scrap and wastematerials at the point of application of such bracelets.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide an apparatus formanufacturing an identification bracelet at the point of application tothe potential wearer of the bracelet. Such an apparatus eliminates thenecessity for maintaining bracelet inventories and the waste disposalproblems entailed by the conventional cartons of bracelets and theadditional materials which must be discarded during braceletapplication.

Another object of my invention is the provision of an apparatus of theaforementioned character which includes a source of material in stripform from which a bracelet can be manufactured and means for translatingsaid strip through the apparatus. An associate object of the inventionis the provision of information imparting means to a surface of saidstrip or into a magnetic strip or RF (radio frequency) chip or otherelectronic information storage means previously imprinted or installedupon said strip. Such information can include individual identificationand the various ramifications of data necessary for the particularapplication for which the bracelet manufactured by the apparatus isutilized.

Another object of my invention is the provision of an apparatus of theaforementioned character which includes information imparting meanswhich is capable of supplying information to the bracelet during themanufacturing process of the bracelet and which can be visuallycognizable, electronic or bar code stored information.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of an apparatusof the aforementioned character wherein the fastener means utilized tosecure the bracelet in operative relationship with the wrist of anindividual is installed on the bracelet during the manufacturingprocess.

An associated object of my invention is the utilization of adhesivefastening means and the incorporation in the apparatus of conveyor meansfor conveying said adhesive fastening means into contiguity andsubsequent transfer to a surface of the bracelet during its translationthrough the aforesaid apparatus.

An additional object of my invention is the provision of severance meansin said apparatus whereby, when all of the bracelet manufacture has beencompleted, the bracelet is issued from the apparatus and cut by saidseverance means to a predetermined length. Instead of severance means,perforators can be utilized which form perforations in the strip tofacilitate the severance of a bracelet from said strip.

A particular object of the invention is the manufacture of a braceletincorporating adhesive fastening means which is issued from theaforesaid apparatus and is ready for immediate application to the wristof a wearer without the necessity for discarding the conventionaladhesive isolation means utilized in adhesive identification braceletsto prevent premature adherence of the adhesive fastening means to anadjacent surface.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a method ofmanufacturing an identification bracelet capable of immediate use andapplication to the wrist of the wearer which includes the steps ofproviding a continuous strip of bracelet material and translating saidstrip to an information imparting means. Associated steps include thedeposition of information on a surface of said bracelet by saidinformation imparting means and the transfer to a surface of saidbracelet of fastening means intended to maintain the bracelet inoperative relationship with the wrist of a wearer.

The final step of the method includes the severance of the bracelet in alength sufficient to encompass the wrist of the wearer. This may beachieved by presetting the apparatus so that bracelets of a uniformlength are issued from the apparatus or by controlling the input ofinformation to the bracelet in such a manner that the means fortranslating the bracelet strip can cause a variance in the length of thebracelet to adapt it, for instance, to the wrist of a child rather thanan adult.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a bracelet capable ofinstantaneous use after issuance from the aforesaid apparatus, saidbracelet having all of the necessary information imparted thereto andincorporating fastener means which is capable of immediate adherence tothe adjacent surface of a cooperating extremity of said bracelet, saidfastening means being constituted by a suitable adhesive.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be obvious from thefollowing specification and the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a bracelet manufactured in accordance with the method andby use of the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows the bracelet of FIG. 1 in the installed condition; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating the components of the apparatusand the practice of the steps of the method of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED Embodiments of the Invention

A. The Apparatus

Shown schematically in FIG. 3 of the drawings is the apparatus 10 of theinvention which, of course, is intended to be incorporated in a cabinetof relatively small dimensions so that the apparatus can be juxtaposedto the cashier in the ticket booth of the enterprise at which theapparatus 10 is installed. Incorporated in the apparatus 10 is a source12 of bracelet strip material 14 said source including a reel 16 of saidmaterial which may include a plastic impregnated fibrous agglomerate.Alternatively, the strip material can be provided in fan-folded or otherconfigurations and dispensed from a suitable receptacle.

The strip material 14 is shown as following a generally lineal paththrough the apparatus 10, but it will be obvious to those skilled in theart that, in the interests of space economy, a more circuitous path canbe followed by the strip material as required by the closerjuxtaposition of the elements of the apparatus 10.

Juxtaposed to the lineal path of the strip material 14 is translatingmeans 18, said translating means including a drive roller 22frictionally engaged with the surface of the bracelet strip 14 forfrictionally driving the strip through the apparatus 10.

The drive roller 22 can be rotated by an electric motor or similarmeans, but it is preferable that a stepper motor or the like be utilizedin the apparatus because the method of the invention requires that thestrip 14 be halted intermittently for purposes to be discussed ingreater detail hereinbelow.

By suitable control means, not shown, the speed of the stepper motor canbe regulated to control the translation of the bracelet strip 14 throughthe apparatus 10 and control the length of the dwell times necessitatedby the method of the invention.

Information is applied to a surface of the bracelet at the point ofapplication of the bracelet to the wrist of the wearer. Where prior artexpedients are utilized, this entails the utilization of a suitableprinter or other information imprinting device into which theprefabricated bracelet is introduced and the imparting of the requisiteinformation regarding the purchaser, and the privileges to which thepurchase of the bracelet entitles him, to the surface of the bracelet orinto the aforesaid magnetic strip and/or RF chip. The stepper motor canbe eliminated and continuous movement of the strip 14 can occur.

An information imparting device 30 is included in the apparatus 10 and,during a dwell period established by the stepper motor previouslyaverted to, imprints or otherwise imparts the requisite informationabout the individual and the extent of his purchase privileges to theadjacent surface of the bracelet strip 14. Where continuous movement ofthe strip occurs, the imparting of the requisite information can beachieved by the imparting device 30 while the strip is moved with orrelative to said device.

A wide variety of expedients is utilizable in imparting information tothe bracelet strip 14. Among them are mechanical printout devices whichimpart visually cognizable information to the surface of the braceletstrip 14. There are also electronic information imparting devicescapable of storing information on a magnetic strip or the likepreviously imprinted on the surface of the bracelet strip 14 atpredetermined intervals.

In addition, there are mechanisms for the imprinting of bar codes on thesurface of the bracelet strip 14. In any event, during the manufactureof the bracelet, the individual's identification and ancillaryinformation are provided in one way or another on the surface of thebracelet strip 14. This information is generated at the point of saleduring the manufacture of the bracelet and the necessity for thefrequent handling of the bracelet by insertion into one form of printeror information imparting device or another is eliminated with consequenteconomies in time and handling.

Downstream of the information imparting means 30 is fastener supply orconveyor means 40, said fastener supply means including a storage reel42 for a strip 44 of release paper or similar material which has patchesof fastening means 46 deposited thereupon at spaced intervals. Thefastening means 46 is constituted by a patch of adhesive 48. The stripof release material 44 is entrained upon an applicator wheel 52 whichrotates simultaneously with and at the same speed as the reel 42 and isadapted to apply pressure to the fastener conveying strip 44 to causethe transfer of the adhesive patch 48 to a surface of the bracelet strip14.

Located adjacent the exit 60 of the apparatus 10 is severance means 70which includes a cutting blade 72 or perforation and a cutting anvil 74adapted to sever a bracelet 80 of suitable length from the parent strip14. It will be noted that the adhesive patch 48 is provided without anyisolating means customary with adhesively fastened bracelets so that thebracelet 80 can be immediately applied to the wrist of a wearerimmediately upon its exit from the apparatus 10.

The utilization of the apparatus 10 eliminates the current necessity formaintaining inventories of identification bracelets and storage of thesame at the point of utilization. Also eliminated is the necessity forinsertion of the bracelet in a suitable printing device or the like andthe removal thereof after imprinted or otherwise applied information isstored on the surface of the bracelet.

In addition, where adhesive fastening means is utilized, the bracelet isapplied without removal of an isolating means from the adhesive patch.The economic benefits of the utilization of the apparatus include theelimination inventory expense and storage, and the time and energy savedin the imparting of information to a previously fabricated bracelet aswell as the ease of installation of the instantaneously providedbracelet.

The method of the invention is directed to the broad concept of theprovision of an instantaneously installable bracelet on the wrist of awearer at the point of sale and the elimination of inventories ofprefabricated bracelets and waste and detritus incident thereto.

The primary step of the invention includes the supplying of braceletmaterial in strip form to the apparatus. The most expedient way is byproviding the bracelet.strip 14 on a storage reel 16 whence it is drawnby the translating means 18.

The next step involves the temporary cessation of movement of thebracelet strip material through the apparatus so that informationregarding the individual and the extent of his purchased privileges canbe provided on a surface of the bracelet. As previously mentioned, thestrip material can also be translated continuously throughout theapparatus.

As previously mentioned, the information imparting step can beaccomplished by a variety of readily available prior art expedients.Once the information imparting step has been completed, translation ofthe bracelet strip is resumed and delivery thereof is made to thefastener means application portion of the apparatus where the fastenermeans in the form of an adhesive patch is applied to the surface of thebracelet strip. A severance or perforation step then occurs to sever asuitable length of bracelet to provide the identification bracelet 80 atthe point of exit 60 from the apparatus. Where continuous translation ofthe strip occurs, the information imparting step can take place duringthe movement of the strip.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various mechanicaland electronic expedients can be utilized to practice the steps of themethod and that the steps are not limited to a particular form orconfiguration of apparatus.

B. The Bracelet

The bracelet 80 is constituted by an elongated strip 82 of flexiblematerial which can be selected from a wide variety of availableexpedients. For instance, vinyl or polyethylene or polypropylenematerial or laminates consisting of vinyl materials incorporating mylarreinforcements can be utilized. Frequently utilized in the bracelet artare high strength papers which are fabricated by assembling thecellulosic components thereof with suitable polymers such as epoxyderivatives.

The bracelet 80 has first and second extremities 84 and 86 which areoverlapped into the configuration of FIG. 2 of the drawings to encirclethe wrist of the wearer of the bracelet. As previously mentioned, anintermediate surface 88 of the bracelet 80 is provided for the receptionof information regarding the individual purchaser and the scope of hispurchase. Of course, such information can be placed anywhere between theextremities of the bracelet surface.

For instance, in amusement parks, the information can include the ridesto which he is entitled. Similar information can be utilized at skilifts where the amount of time the purchaser is entitled to use thelifts may be inscribed. This information, as previously mentioned, maybe visually cognizable or may be read by electronic means if thebracelet includes a magnetic strip, bar code imprinting, or RF chip.

Provided on the bracelet 80 is fastening means 46 constituted by a patchof adhesive 48. The adhesive 48 can be any one of a large number ofpressure sensitive adhesives which are capable of resisting the releaseof the overlying extremities 84 and 86 of the bracelet 80 from eachother. Therefore, there can be no transfer of the bracelet 80 from oneindividual to another. It will be noted that the adhesive patch 48 onthe bracelet 80 is exposed and that no releasable isolating meansoverlies the same to prevent the inadvertent adherence of the adhesivepatch to an adjacent surface. This construction eliminates theconventional isolation means which is frequently constituted by a papercover having a releasing agent provided thereupon. Therefore, the salesclerk need not be involved in the removal of such cover and the detrituswhich results from supplying bracelets to hundreds of customers duringthe average work day.

Consequently, by the practice of the method of the invention and theprovision of the bracelet and apparatus thereof, many of the problemsinherent in present day identification bracelet supply are eliminated,with consequent economies in the supply of the bracelets of theinvention and the elimination of unnecessary expenditures of time andenergy incident to the utilization of conventional identificationbracelets.

Although I have shown a specific type of apparatus, it will be obviousto those skilled in the art that the method of the invention can bepracticed and the bracelet of the invention manufactured by the use ofalternative apparatus.

I claim:
 1. In a system for producing and dispensing a succession ofidentification bracelets, the combination comprising: a plurality ofelongated flexible bracelet strips each having a length sufficient toencompass an object to be identified, each of said strips further havingupper and lower surfaces and first and second opposite extremities; aninformation storage area on each of said bracelet strips intermediatesaid first and second opposite extremities thereof for the receipt ofidentification information; and fabrication means including means forimparting identification information to the information storage area oneach of said plurality of bracelet strips in succession; saidfabrication means further including means for applying uncoveredadhesive fastener means to one of said upper and lower surfacesgenerally at one of said first and second opposite extremities of eachof said bracelet strips; said fabrication means further including meansfor dispensing said plurality of bracelet strips in succession with saididentification information carried by said information storage area ofeach of said bracelet strips and with said uncovered adhesive fastenermeans exposed, for substantially immediate placement of each of saidbracelet strips onto a respective object to be identified thereby, withsaid exposed adhesive fastener means being substantially immediatelyengageable with said other of said first and second opposite extremitiesfor connecting said first and second opposite extremities in overlappingrelation and to prevent separation thereof with said bracelet stripencircling the object to be identified.
 2. The combination of claim 1wherein said fabrication means applies said uncovered adhesive fastenermeans to only one of said upper and lower surfaces of only one of saidfirst and second opposite extremities of each of said bracelet strips.3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said identification informationcomprises visual information.
 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein saididentification information comprises machine readable information. 5.The combination of claim 1 wherein said identification informationcomprises printed information.
 6. The combination of claim 1 furtherincluding an RF chip carried by each of said bracelet strips for storingelectronic information.
 7. The combination of claim 1 further includinga magnetic strip carried by each of said bracelet strips for storingelectronic information.
 8. The combination of claim 1 wherein saidinformation storing area is on said upper surface of each of saidbracelet strips, and further wherein said exposed adhesive fastenermeans is mounted on said lower surface of each of said bracelet strips.9. The combination of claim 1 wherein said exposed adhesive fastenermeans comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive.